Moving Date!!

We have a moving on the 29 December 2011. The packers arrive on the 27 and 28 and then the big move happens on the 29th. Yet another curve ball is that the company will move us but not the piano. They moved from South Africa and from Denmark but now they will not move it to another suburb??!?!!? Must say I will be glad to see the end of Safmarine. Graeme's last day is 29 February 2012. That is when the bulk of the staff will be going.

The front door?

The Garden with the little shed and one of the 2 garages

back of the house

View from the garage showing the kitchen and the side of the sunroom

The car is standing outside the front door.

Heggemuslaan 6, Kapellen

A picture of the back of the house showing the sunroom.

Oh yes the curtains came with the house.

Moving date

We have the keys to the new house and we will be moving the week between Christmas and New Year. Just hope it does not snow!!! They are predicting a very cold and white winter season.

Our new address:

Heggemuslaan 6

Kapellen

2950

Antwerp.

The phone numbers stay the same! How cool is that. Also a heggemus is a hedge sparrow.

So who is coming to visit first!

18 Years!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday Graeme and I celebrated our 18th Wedding Anniversary. Went out for nice dinner on Saturday evening. Love you lots my darling.

Last of the Autumn sunshine at the Arboretum in Turnhout

This see-saw was once in the garden of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg! Very strong as you can see with all of us having a turn. Peter had to keep his arm in his t'shirt so that it did not get burnt in the sun. Yes it was that hot!

The Arm now!!

Oh boy not for the squeamish eish!!!!!

We have to change the dressing everyday. But at least he can shower on his own at last!!

Peter's arm now

Another shot of Peters arm after the skin graft - still a while to go!!!

Peter Update

The operation went very well on Thursday. We spent most of the day at the hospital and got home around 4. Peter was in a little pain but not too bad. The next day was worse. The area where the skin graft was taken is very sore and is weeping. Well it looks like a big roastie really. We have to go back to the Plastic Surgeon on Friday and until then we are not to touch or wet anything. So bath time is fun fun fun.

Peter had a little birthday gathering on Saturday afternoon. We then took the pals to the movies. He had a great time but really paid for it today as his leg was really sore. Well luckily for him, but not for us, it rained again today so he didn't miss out on too much.

Both the kids finally start their new school year on Thursday. New schools, new routines etc. It has been a very long summer holiday!!!

Happy Birthday Peter

Today is Peter's 13th Birthday. He spending the day at a theme park with his Dad and sister. Just hope the rain stays away!!

Love you lots

Bad news about Peter

We saw the plastic surgeon yesterday and Peter is going to need a skin graph. The surgery is scheduled for Thursday 25 Aug which is a day after his birthday. He is understandable very upset and so are we but we must look at the bright side. He does not have any permanent damage to his hands or fingers.

Finally A New Home For The Stephans!!

At Last we have found a new home and you can view it at the following link!!

http://groupb.be/subfiche2.asp?taal=1&id=1142560

ENJOY!!

Peter's arm after 5 weeks!

This is what Peter's arm looks like 5 weeks after the accident. It forming a nice scab so hopefully we are not going to need skin graphs. Non the less the surgeon has referred us to a Plastic Surgeon that we will see on 19 Aug. On the 23 Aug we see the surgeon again. Luckily for him he only starts school on 1 September so hopefully he will be out of the braces by then.

Peters arm braces

The staples are out and now he has to wear these braces for 3 to 4 weeks. We are also going to see the plastic surgeon about the scar. His wrists are not allowed to move as the tendons need to heal hence the braces. At least we have a break of a week from the hospital as the next appointment is only on the 19 Aug.

The sun is finally shining ! Peanut and the chickens enjoying the sun at last!

Funny signs in Holland

Today we went to Rotterdam for the day and we came across these signs

The bandages are off!!

Another view after 10 days of healing!

Peter's right arm!!

First view of Peter's cut arm starting to heal - let's all pray for a full
recovery!

He has 40 staples!

Peter has done it again

Peter went through a class door and cut his right arm very badly. He has 40 staples and cut all the tendons. Luckily he did not cut any nerves or the main artery. He also cut the tendon on the left side of his left hand. So he can't do a thing!!! Mom and sister have to do everything for him. Needless to say he has managed to find a way to work on the computer. He cannot bend his wrists so it is not easy.

He will be like this for 4 WEEKS!!!! So much for the fun summer holiday!

Summer vacation

Picnic lunch out side the Guggenheim. The dog in the background is made of flowers!

Last minute holiday

Having coffee outside the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa, Spain.

Peter's last assembly

Peter's best friend Hussain at the last assembly. Best friends say a few words. Can you believe that Hussain is only a few weeks older than Peter!

last days at school

Kate and William singing at the High School assembly. So proud of her!!

Off to France

We are off to Moliets-Plage which is SW France near Spain on a last minute
holiday!!! Hope the weather is nice!

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This is how my chickens catch a tan!

Peter explaining about his crystals growing project for the 7th grade science fair

Peters poster for his science fair

Kate and Peter on the Scooter Graeme bought from friends that have moved back to SA

My favourite Rhodendrums in the Garden. Pity they bloom for such a short time.

Summer 2011. Zina and Peanut enjoying the sun!

De Haan

On Tuesday we went to the coast with a school friend of peter and her mom.

Peter's permanent cast

Look what my friends mom made !

Peter with his broken wrist

Peter has broken his left wrist playing soccer at school today.

He was playing goalie and stopped the ball with his hand.

Temp cast for a week and then a proper one.

No more rugby for a while!!!

My Animals

Peanut warming her nose on the heater

The chickens wanting to watch tv

Spring is here!

Just up the road from us is a cherry tree lined road!

Tonight we celebrated Kates birthday at an oriental restaurant. The food was delicious !

Usher concert at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp

Last night Peter and his best friend along with Kate went to see the Usher concert in Antwerp.
The concert was very good but it was a late night for all three of them.

Pablo's Shoe

Peter playing the doctor in the middleschool play.

His other part was "Bad kid 2"

Mom made the costumes.

GREAT NEWS

On Thursday morning we received the fantastic news that we are now Belgian citizens.

It has been a long 7 year wait but we have finally got it.

This means that we now have duel citizenship. South African and Belgian, Well the kids and I are now Belgians and we are already planning a trip to the UK because now we can go without a VISA!!!

Renée

Peter after rugby

Rugby in the mud and rain Belgium style. Staight into the washing machine
and shower!

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Graeme baking!

Happy New Year and I hope this is a sign of things to come!

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